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At 35 weeks week's pregnant I found a lump in my right breast, confiding in family, friends, midwife and doctor we were all of the opinion it was a swollen milk duct.  After a number of testing, x-rays, mammogram and biopsies I was then asked to attend the hospital to get the results.

On the 24th March 2014 my whole world crumbled.  I was officially diagnosed with cancer at 37 weeks pregnant. 

At 36 years old, pregnant and no history of breast cancer in the family this news was difficult to retain.  The breast cancer was a rare form of breast cancer named "triple negative" so ruled out many treatment plans.  The fight of my life began and my baby hadn't arrived yet.

Cancer doesn't care who you are, how old you are or the exact circumstances in your life, cancer took away the right to enjoy and look forward to seeing my baby girl.

In fact Cancer took a lot more than that. 

It took away the right to enjoy my maternity leave, the first 22 months of my daughters life consisted of chemo, radiotherapy, double mastectomy, more chemo, thyroid operation, ovaries removed, it took away my energy, the right to have a normal life, be the best mum I can be and I lost my hair.

Cancer is a bitch but I was determined it didn't have the right to take my life! 

Being diagnosed with Cancer can feel a very lonely place, particularly when you are diagnosed in the circumstances I was. I became a cancer patient rather than a new mum.

The possibilities of being treated during and after pregnancy are surprising, but neither of which I was sure of. It also became apparent that cancer during pregnancy is not understood by the medical professionals.

A month after giving birth I was introduced to Mummy's Star by my oncologist, it is a charity dedicated to support Mother's who have been diagnosed either through their pregnancy, or post 12 months. They are the only UK charity that offer this kind of support.

Through the support of this wonderful organisation, financial grants, advise from the charity, support network from the amazing team, it was the first time I didn't feel alone.  I had so much support from my husband, parents, family and friends but they just couldn't connect with what I was going through.  I was introduced to mothers who can identify with what I am experiencing, the comfort of this can not be expressed in words.

This is just a small part of what Mummy's Star offers so please help our quest to support this charity. The charity helped me and my family massively and continues to do so at such at a time in a mothers lives when they should concentrate on being a mum.

Not only did I get support from the team at Mummy's Star, the team became my friends and I now have a large Mummy's Star family of amazing woman who have been brought together in such poor circumstances.  We all support each other massively.

It held a very special place in my life then and continues to do so now, I am now in remission and still use the services provided my Mummy's Star.  I still continue to support the forum of new mums recently diagnosed. 

I am proud to say that not only am I an ambassador for the charity but a became a Trustee for the charity on the 1st April. Please take the time to learn about what they can offer, keep the name in your mind and if you hear of a new mum being diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy or 12 months post please advise them of the services Mummy star can offer.

Thank you

Jo, Sean, Sienna and Family

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